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Pharma & chemicals

Export cosmetics and skin care

Creams, herbal skin care, hair oils and make-up; the USA, UAE, Nepal and Singapore buy the most.

Free to exportHS 3304
HS code
3304
Beauty, make-up and skin-care preparations — creams, lotions, powders, lip and eye make-up, sindoor and kumkum (3304); also hair preparations such as hair oils, shampoos and dyes (3305).
Export policy
Free to export
Free to export under ITC(HS) Schedule 2 as checked in November 2026. Cosmetics must be made under a cosmetic manufacturing licence issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020. Confirm your exact 8-digit line on the DGFT ITC(HS) search before you ship.
Registrations
4
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 506 mn
to 158 countries

What is exported

India exports face creams, herbal and ayurvedic-style skin care, talc, kajal, sindoor, hair oils and shampoos, much of it to the Indian diaspora and to Gulf and South Asian retailers. Makers are spread across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh (Baddi), Uttarakhand, Delhi NCR and Tamil Nadu. In 2025-26 India exported about US$ 296 million under HS 3304 and US$ 210 million under 3305; the USA, UAE, Nepal and Singapore were the top buyers.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Skin creams and lotionsMoisturisers, brightening creams and sunscreens.
  • Herbal and ayurvedic-style cosmeticsTurmeric, neem, sandalwood and aloe products sold as cosmetics.
  • Colour cosmeticsKajal, lipsticks, nail polish, sindoor, kumkum and bindi.
  • Hair careHair oils, shampoos and henna-based dyes (3305).

Where it is grown or made

  • MaharashtraMumbai–Thane, Pune and Nashik
  • Himachal Pradesh and UttarakhandBaddi; Haridwar
  • Gujarat and Delhi NCRAhmedabad, Vadodara; Noida, Gurugram
  • Tamil Nadu and KeralaChennai; Kochi (coconut-based hair oils)

Export packing

  • Tubes, jars and bottles in printed unit cartons, then shrink-wrapped dozens in shipper cartons.
  • Leak-proof caps and inner seals for oils and lotions; avoid glass where breakage is likely.
  • Batch number and expiry or period-after-opening symbol on every pack.

Who buys abroad

  • Indian and South Asian grocery chains abroad
  • Beauty distributors and pharmacies
  • Private-label brands (contract manufacturing)
  • Online sellers

The quality buyers ask for

Microbiology
Total viable count and absence of pathogens per ISO 17516 or buyer limits; preservative efficacy test (ISO 11930)
Heavy metals
Lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium within buyer and regulatory limits — critical for kajal, sindoor and henna
Stability
Stability and packaging-compatibility tests to support the shelf life
Ingredients
All ingredients allowed in the market (EU annexes, US colour additive lists); INCI names
pH and fill
pH range and net content as declared

Certificates

  • Cosmetic manufacturing licence (Cosmetics Rules, 2020)RequiredNeeded to make cosmetics in India.
  • EU Responsible Person, safety report and CPNP notificationOften askedRequired before a cosmetic is sold in the EU.
  • US FDA facility registration and product listing (MoCRA)Often askedRequired for cosmetics sold in the USA.
  • ISO 22716 (cosmetics GMP)Often askedGood manufacturing practice standard many buyers ask for.
  • Halal, COSMOS organic or vegan certificatesOften askedMarket-specific claims that some buyers require.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Mixed cartons on pallets; first orders usually go LCL.

How it travels

Sea freight; air for samples and small lots (aerosols and alcohol products are dangerous goods).

Storage

Store below 30 °C away from sunlight.

Shelf life

Typically 24–36 months as supported by stability data.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • EU: Responsible Person's name and address, nominal content, date of minimum durability or period-after-opening, precautions, batch, function and ingredient list (INCI) — in the local language.
  • USA: identity, net quantity, ingredient list in descending order, warnings and the US responsible person's contact under MoCRA.
  • Gulf: Arabic labelling and registration details.
Where to get it tested

NABL-accredited cosmetic testing labs carry out microbiology, heavy-metal and stability tests (search 'cosmetics' in the NABL directory). The Central Drugs Laboratory and State drug testing labs test cosmetics under the Cosmetics Rules.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • CHEMEXCILCosmetics and toiletries are listed under CHEMEXCIL in Appendix 2T; take your RCMC from CHEMEXCIL.chemexcil.in ↗
  • State Licensing Authority (under CDSCO rules)Cosmetic manufacturing licence under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020; buyers often ask for a free sale certificate.cdsco.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • EU and UK: a Responsible Person in the market, a product safety report, notification on the EU CPNP (or UK SCPN), and ingredients that comply with the annexes of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
  • USA: FDA facility registration and product listing under MoCRA, safety substantiation and labelling with an ingredient list; colour additives must be FDA-approved.
  • Heavy metals (lead in kajal, sindoor and kohl), microbial limits and preservative levels; Gulf countries require product registration or notification (for example in Saudi Arabia through SFDA).
How to start small

Start with hair oils, herbal creams or soaps for Indian grocery chains abroad and Gulf distributors. Use a licensed contract maker, get stability and heavy-metal tests, and check the destination's label and registration rules before printing packs.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Making medical claims ("cures acne", "hair regrowth") that turn a cosmetic into a drug in the buyer country.
  • Lead in kajal and sindoor — US FDA import alerts and EU recalls.
  • No Responsible Person or CPNP notification for EU sales.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (6)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 3304 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T: Export Promotion Councils and the products under each
  3. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2) and SCOMET list (Appendix 3)
  4. European Commission — Cosmetics (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009)
  5. US Food and Drug Administration — Cosmetics (including MoCRA registration and listing)
  6. CHEMEXCIL — official site

Trade data

Indian cosmetics and skin care exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 506 mn
+10.4% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↓ -19.8%
US$ 630 mn → US$ 506 mn
Buyer countries
158
Average export price
US$ 4.47
per kg · 1,13,046 tonnes shipped · US$ 6.09 the year before
United States of America: US$ 72.8 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 71.1 mnNepal: US$ 53.4 mnSingapore: US$ 32.2 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 18.9 mnAustralia: US$ 14.8 mnIraq: US$ 12.4 mnHong Kong: US$ 12.3 mnBangladesh: US$ 11.7 mnIndonesia: US$ 11.4 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 10.9 mnNetherlands: US$ 9 mnMalaysia: US$ 8.6 mnThailand: US$ 8.1 mnCanada: US$ 7.4 mnFrance: US$ 7.2 mnChile: US$ 6.2 mnPhilippines: US$ 5.8 mnGermany: US$ 4.7 mnSri Lanka: US$ 4.5 mnChina: US$ 4.5 mnYemen: US$ 4.1 mnBhutan: US$ 3.9 mnNew Zealand: US$ 3.9 mnUnited States of America: US$ 72.8 mnUnited States of AmericaUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 71.1 mnUnited Arab EmiratesNepal: US$ 53.4 mnNepalSingapore: US$ 32.2 mnSingaporeSaudi Arabia: US$ 18.9 mnAustralia: US$ 14.8 mnAustraliaIraq: US$ 12.4 mnIraqHong Kong: US$ 12.3 mnBangladesh: US$ 11.7 mnIndonesia: US$ 11.4 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 10.9 mnNetherlands: US$ 9 mnMalaysia: US$ 8.6 mnThailand: US$ 8.1 mnCanada: US$ 7.4 mnFrance: US$ 7.2 mnChile: US$ 6.2 mnPhilippines: US$ 5.8 mnGermany: US$ 4.7 mnSri Lanka: US$ 4.5 mnChina: US$ 4.5 mnYemen: US$ 4.1 mnBhutan: US$ 3.9 mnNew Zealand: US$ 3.9 mnIndia
Where Indian cosmetics and skin care goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 309 mn3092020-212021-22: US$ 364 mn3642021-222022-23: US$ 548 mn5482022-232023-24: US$ 993 mn9932023-242024-25: US$ 630 mn6302024-252025-26: US$ 506 mn5062025-26
India’s cosmetics and skin care exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2025-26 — a 54% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 5.69 per kg2021-22: US$ 4.59 per kg2022-23: US$ 6.90 per kg6.902024-25: US$ 6.09 per kg2025-26: US$ 4.47 per kg4.472020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian cosmetics and skin care · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 309 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 364 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 548 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 993 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 630 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 506 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 831 mn (US$ 503 mn – US$ 1.37 bn)8312026-272027-28: US$ 950 mn (US$ 542 mn – US$ 1.67 bn)9502027-28
India’s cosmetics and skin care exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 950 mn

Likely range US$ 542 mn to US$ 1.67 bn.

Trend
+14.4% a year
Fit (R²)
0.37 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United States of AmericaUS$ 72.8 mn+13.1%
2United Arab EmiratesUS$ 71.1 mn-34%
3NepalUS$ 53.4 mn+5.5%
4SingaporeUS$ 32.2 mn+34.9%
5Saudi ArabiaUS$ 18.9 mn-4.7%
6AustraliaUS$ 14.8 mn+39.2%
7IraqUS$ 12.4 mn+74.2%
8Hong KongUS$ 12.3 mn-24.9%
9BangladeshUS$ 11.7 mn-26.5%
10IndonesiaUS$ 11.4 mn-17.3%
11United KingdomUS$ 10.9 mn+11.5%
12NetherlandsUS$ 9 mn-27.5%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. UnspecifiedUS$ 550k → US$ 5.2 mn+841.8%
  2. ChileUS$ 1 mn → US$ 6.2 mn+496.2%
  3. IraqUS$ 7.1 mn → US$ 12.4 mn+74.2%
  4. AustraliaUS$ 10.6 mn → US$ 14.8 mn+39.2%
  5. SingaporeUS$ 23.8 mn → US$ 32.2 mn+34.9%
  6. ThailandUS$ 6.2 mn → US$ 8.1 mn+30%
  7. PhilippinesUS$ 4.5 mn → US$ 5.8 mn+27.9%
  8. FranceUS$ 6.1 mn → US$ 7.2 mn+17.6%

Low demand

  1. OmanUS$ 131 mn → US$ 2.8 mn-97.9%
  2. United Arab EmiratesUS$ 108 mn → US$ 71.1 mn-34%
  3. NetherlandsUS$ 12.4 mn → US$ 9 mn-27.5%
  4. BangladeshUS$ 16 mn → US$ 11.7 mn-26.5%
  5. Hong KongUS$ 16.3 mn → US$ 12.3 mn-24.9%
  6. MalaysiaUS$ 11 mn → US$ 8.6 mn-21.9%
  7. IndonesiaUS$ 13.7 mn → US$ 11.4 mn-17.3%
  8. Sri LankaUS$ 5.3 mn → US$ 4.5 mn-14.8%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Others-of-other beauty/make up prpns not elsewhere specified3304 99 90 · Cosmetic and toilet preparations in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skinUS$ 156 mn-47.5%30,181 tonnesUS$ 5.17 per kgwas US$ 12.79
Hair dyes ( natural,herbal 0r synthetic )3305 90 40 · Hair preparations in heading no. 3305US$ 79.9 mn-5%14,879 tonnesUS$ 5.37 per kgwas US$ 5.19
Creams face (excluding turmaric)3304 99 10 · Cosmetic and toilet preparations in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skinUS$ 63.8 mn+13.9%5,774 tonnesUS$ 11.04 per kgwas US$ 11.95
Hair shampoos (non-spirituous)3305 10 90 · Hair preparations, shampoosUS$ 51 mn+8.7%16,014 tonnesUS$ 3.19 per kgwas US$ 2.78
Cosmetic and toilet preparations in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin — moisturising lotion3304 99 30US$ 35.4 mn+8%10,609 tonnesUS$ 3.34 per kgwas US$ 2.91
Hair preparations in heading no. 3305 — perfumed hair oil3305 90 11US$ 27.2 mn-3.5%7,865 tonnesUS$ 3.45 per kgwas US$ 3.72
Other prpns for use on hair n.e.s.3305 90 90 · Hair preparations in heading no. 3305US$ 26.5 mn-2.2%6,505 tonnesUS$ 4.07 per kgwas US$ 5.50
Cosmetic and toilet preparations, powders, whether or not compressed — powder talcum3304 91 20US$ 15.4 mn+32.2%9,236 tonnesUS$ 1.67 per kgwas US$ 1.43
Hair preparations in heading no. 3305 — other hair oil3305 90 19US$ 12.7 mn+23%2,253 tonnesUS$ 5.64 per kgwas US$ 5.86
Hair preparations in heading no. 3305 — hair cream3305 90 30US$ 6.8 mn-1.4%2,811 tonnesUS$ 2.43 per kgwas US$ 2.43
Cosmetic and toilet preparations, lip make-up — lip make up preparations3304 10 00US$ 6.4 mn-8.1%275 tonnesUS$ 23.44 per kgwas US$ 36.32
Other powders whether or not compressed3304 91 90 · Cosmetic and toilet preparations, powders, whether or not compressedUS$ 4.9 mn+87%1,111 tonnesUS$ 4.39 per kgwas US$ 5.27
Cosmetic and toilet preparations, eye make-up — eye make up preparations3304 20 00US$ 3.6 mn+11%92 tonnesUS$ 39.36 per kgwas US$ 23.26
Manicure or pedicure preparations3304 30 00 · Cosmetic and toilet preparations, manicure or pedicure preparationsUS$ 3.1 mn+4.7%591 tonnesUS$ 5.32 per kgwas US$ 6.17

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 91.5 bn
2023
India among exporters
#21
of 162 countries
India’s share of world exports
1.1%
US$ 963 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 90.6 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1FranceUS$ 13.5 bn 14.7%
  2. 2USAUS$ 7.83 bn 8.6%
  3. 3Rep. of KoreaUS$ 7.54 bn 8.2%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 6.36 bn 6.9%
  5. 5SingaporeUS$ 5.64 bn 6.2%
  6. 6ItalyUS$ 4.47 bn 4.9%
  7. 7ChinaUS$ 4.22 bn 4.6%
  8. 8JapanUS$ 4.14 bn 4.5%
  9. 9China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 3.64 bn 4%
  10. 10PolandUS$ 3.35 bn 3.7%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 15.3 bn 16.7%
  2. 2USAUS$ 8.66 bn 9.5%
  3. 3China, Hong Kong SARUS$ 6.03 bn 6.6%
  4. 4GermanyUS$ 4.05 bn 4.4%
  5. 5United KingdomUS$ 3.68 bn 4%
  6. 6FranceUS$ 3.27 bn 3.6%
  7. 7SingaporeUS$ 3.17 bn 3.5%
  8. 8CanadaUS$ 2.71 bn 3%
  9. 9NetherlandsUS$ 2.12 bn 2.3%
  10. 10SpainUS$ 2.04 bn 2.2%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

ChinaUS$ 13.8 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 13.8 bn
United States of AmericaUS$ 9.81 bnIndia 1.6% · gap US$ 9.66 bn
GermanyUS$ 4.41 bnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 4.41 bn
United KingdomUS$ 3.68 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 3.67 bn
FranceUS$ 3.44 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 3.43 bn
SingaporeUS$ 2.89 bnIndia 1% · gap US$ 2.86 bn
CanadaUS$ 2.78 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 2.77 bn
NetherlandsUS$ 2.39 bnIndia 0.4% · gap US$ 2.38 bn
JapanUS$ 2.2 bnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 2.2 bn
SpainUS$ 2.09 bnIndia 0% · gap US$ 2.09 bn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export cosmetics and skin care

India exports a wide range of personal-care products, from herbal and ayurvedic-style skin care to hair oils and colour cosmetics, much of it to the diaspora and to Gulf and South Asian markets. France, the USA, Korea, Germany and Japan lead world cosmetics trade, with Korea strong in skin care. Demand comes from interest in natural and herbal beauty, growing middle classes in Africa and Asia, and private-label buyers. Openings are in herbal skin care, hair oils, henna-based products and contract manufacturing for brands.

  1. 01Choose products and markets

    Start where rules are simpler and the diaspora buys (Gulf, Nepal, Singapore).

  2. 02Check every ingredient

    Against the destination's banned and restricted lists.

  3. 03Test

    Microbiology, heavy metals, stability and challenge tests.

  4. 04Register or notify

    CPNP via an EU Responsible Person; FDA listing; Gulf registration.

  5. 05Design compliant labels

    Language, INCI list and claims checked before printing.

  6. 06Ship and claim

    File the shipping bill; claim RoDTEP and drawback.

  7. 07Payment

    Advance for small distributors; LC for larger orders.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting cosmetics and skin care

Is an ayurvedic product a cosmetic or a medicine?
It depends on the claims and the buyer country's law; products that claim to treat a disease are medicines in most markets.
What is a Responsible Person?
An EU (or UK) based company or person legally responsible for the cosmetic's compliance; you cannot sell in the EU without one.
Which council?
CHEMEXCIL (cosmetics and toiletries).
What RoDTEP applies?
0.7% of FOB on most lines under 3304 and 3305.
Why is kajal risky?
Traditional kajal and kohl can contain lead; US FDA and EU authorities stop such products. Test every batch for heavy metals.
Sources (6)
  1. European Commission — Cosmetics (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009)
  2. US Food and Drug Administration — Cosmetics (including MoCRA registration and listing)
  3. CDSCO — Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
  4. CHEMEXCIL — official site
  5. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories
  6. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10.10.2024 (Notification 32/2024-25); rates continued to 31.12.2026 by Notification 41/2026-27

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